Riders Unscripted

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to feel more open and vulnerable rather than falling into the familiar pattern of shrinking and staying small. They explore the moments in her life where she tends to close off to possibilities and become preoccupied with the judgment and actions of others. Natalie guides her through an exercise to he...

In this episode, Natalie sits down with Taren, a graduate of her program, to reflect on Taren’s journey before and after going through the work. They discuss what led Taren to pursue this path, what motivated her to begin the program, and the transformative impact it’s had on her life. Taren shares how the program helped her process emotions more effectively, avoid getting stuck in them, and learn...

In this episode, Natalie sits down with Savannah, a graduate of her program, to reflect on Savannah’s journey before and after going through the work. They discuss what led Savannah to pursue this path, what motivated her to begin the program, and the transformative impact it’s had on her life. Savannah shares how the program helped her recognize that her challenging experiences played a key role...

In this episode, Natalie sits down with Hannah, a graduate of her program and co-facilitator of How to Perform, to reflect on Hannah’s journey before and after going through the work. They discuss what led Hannah to pursue this path, what motivated her to begin the program, and the transformative impact it’s had on her life. Hannah shares how the program helped her find joy in the process and real...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to feel more confident during cross country course walks. They discuss how challenging it can be to fully commit to a plan and trust in your ability to ride competitively while walking the course. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her access a mental space where she feels focused and grou...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who feels a strong need to control every aspect of her training rides and competitions. They discuss how this urge to micromanage stems from a desire to create a sense of safety for both herself and her horse—but ultimately, it manifests as tension, which can be counterproductive. Natalie guides her through an...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to become more flexible in her day-to-day riding plan. They discuss her tendency to follow the same schedule and routine with every horse, rather than evaluating each horse individually and creating a tailored plan. Natalie guides her through an exercise that helps her recognize she’s been sticking to...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who is struggling with performance anxiety and self-doubt in both schooling and competitive riding situations. They discuss how people often turn away from uncomfortable emotions, which can lead them to seek solutions from external sources. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her confront her fear of...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who is struggling to regain her confidence after a riding accident. They discuss the shame she feels about not being able to return to the rider and horsewoman she once was and explore the roots of those emotions. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her face these feelings of shame, so she can find a...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to feel more confident in her ability to compete in the Mongol Derby this summer. They discuss a misunderstanding from her early competitive career that left her feeling out of control and limited in her ability to succeed. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her recognize that although cer...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to learn how to release her stress before riding after a long day of work. They discuss a few situations she was in as a kid that contributed to creating this feeling of being stuck in a rushed and stressed state. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her recognize the misunderstanding she cr...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who is a mother of two that is learning to navigate life with a family and competitive goals. They discuss her perfectionist tendencies and their connection to the nervous system in everyday life. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her recognize perfectionism as a defense mechanism and shows her how...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who is having a hard time finding her confidence after a few riding accidents. They discuss the nature of riding and how the unpredictability of it can feel threatening at times. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her see that it’s normal to not be in control and that she can move forward by finding...

In this episode, Natalie talks with 5* event rider Hannah Sue Holberg about finding inner authority. They discuss how important it is to take responsibility for one’s learning while continuing to ask questions that will improve their riding and connection with the horse. Hannah and Natalie talk about using inner authority to create a system that works for the horse and rider and then trusting the...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who has a horse that was recently injured. They discuss how people sometimes project their hopes and dreams onto their horses and how hard it can be when those dreams get put on hold. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her change the way she approaches working with her horse and find a feeling of be...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who gets in her head when she’s riding and struggles with always trying to be perfect. They discuss that learning comes from failures and how the nervous system keeps her from growing because it wants to stay in a safe and comfortable place. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her face the feeling of...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to build capacity for feeling not enough or inadequate. They discuss that the feeling by itself is not the problem, but that it’s the resistance to the feeling that is limiting her. They identify that part of the problem is that she feels responsible for other people’s emotions and failures, so Natali...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who has developed a habit of leaving the arena mid-round and feels like she gets to a point where she just can’t finish. They discuss the pattern she has created and how it only makes it harder to feel confident in the arena. They also talk about how her nervous system and ego can be updated to help break the c...

In this episode, Natalie works through a visualization exercise with one of her clients, who has concluded that her young horse isn’t the best fit, so she has decided to sell him. They discuss how horses do not always work out just because people put time and money into them and how the ego is good at making people feel like failures when this happens. Natalie guides her through an exercise to hel...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to break the cycle of underperforming at shows and be able to ride in a peak performance state. They discuss a horse show experience she had when she was thirteen that gave her the misunderstanding that she wasn’t good enough. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help heal her younger self and se...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to be appropriately compensated for her time and energy but is afraid that all of her efforts and resources will lead to failure or mediocrity. They discuss an experience she had when she was younger that changed her mindset surrounding success and how that has affected her through the years. Natalie...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to feel confident in a clinic setting and find a mental space that allows her to receive all the information. They discuss the importance of creating a system of safety from within in order to avoid defense patterns and stay open to learning. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help heal her you...

In this episode, Natalie works through visualization exercises with one of her clients, who wants to be able to consistently regulate her body in the moments of fight or flight and not allow competition results to make or break her confidence. They discuss the importance of finding a coach that provides a safe space to make mistakes and how a person can find wholeness from within and not from exte...

In this episode, Natalie celebrates with one of her clients, who placed 4th and won the highest placed thoroughbred in her division at the 2024 American Eventing Championships. They reflect on all that she learned in the “How to Heal” program and discuss how she was able to bring her goals to fruition. Natalie and her client talk through the steps of the program and the importance of learning, rec...

In this episode, Natalie talks to 5* event rider Hannah Sue Hollberg, who is preparing to compete at the Burghley Horse Trials. Natalie and Hannah want to give people an inside look into mentally preparing for a big event. They discuss practicing presence in a peak performance state so that she can recreate the feeling. Natalie guides her through an exercise to help her cope with any stress or wor...